Neck muscle exerciser and method of assessing neck muscle performance

ABSTRACT

Training neck muscles in such a way as to improve responsiveness to head acceleration forces To help prevent concussion and/or screen subjects who are at high risk of concussion, especially from contact sports, the neck muscles may be trained to improve strength and responsiveness to head acceleration. This may be accomplished by a device and/or method of training that incorporates an adjustable centripetal force about a fixed axis on the head. The centripetal force may be adjusted through varying the weight and/or length of a force arm. Neck muscle performance may be measured by the number of revolutions of the force arm completed over a pre-determined time period or the time required to complete a pre-determined number of revolutions of the force arm.

FIELD

This application relates to physical training devices and to methods forassessing muscle performance, in particular to such devices and methodsrelated to neck muscles.

BACKGROUND

There are potentially very serious and lifelong consequences tosuffering a concussion or other head injury. This concern is not justfor professional athletes; it holds true for anyone involved in highrisk sports as well as military personnel. Concussions are complexpathophysiological processes affecting the brain, induced by traumaticbiomechanical forces. Research is starting to show the important rolethat neck muscles play in absorbing concussion forces from head impact.Recent research shows that for every pound of increased neck strength,concussion risk decreases by 5%. Previous research has also demonstratedhow head peak acceleration and HIT scores, a proxy for concussion, canbe drastically reduced in biomechanical models by increasing neckstiffness. What the sporting world lacks is an effective method ofharnessing this natural shock absorption system and enhancing it.

Methods of strength training the neck currently exist, and these methodsmay increase neck girth. However to help the neck muscles protect thebrain the reflexes and responsiveness of these muscles' should also beimproved. As is known, a tense muscle provides much more resistance toacceleration than does a limp muscle.

There exists a need in the art for devices and methods that safelystrengthen the neck muscles, increase neck girth and stiffness and/orimprove the neck's reflex response enhancing protection further. Therealso remains a need for devices and methods that can be used to evaluatea subject's pre-participation concussion risk by assessing performanceand accurately predicting subjects most at risk.

SUMMARY

To help prevent concussion and/or screen subjects who are at high riskof concussion, especially from contact sports, the neck muscles may betrained to improve strength and responsiveness. This may be accomplishedby a device and/or method of training that incorporates an adjustablecentripetal force about a fixed axis on the head. A magnitude of thecentripetal force may be adjusted through varying the weight and/orlength of a force arm. Neck muscle performance may be measured by thenumber of revolutions of the force arm completed over a pre-determinedtime period or the amount of time required to complete a pre-determinednumber of revolutions of the force arm. Thus, neuromuscular and strengthtraining of the neck muscles, as well as neck muscle performancemeasurement, may be accomplished by using centripetal force to generateresistance.

In one aspect, there is provided a neck muscle exercising or performanceassessment device comprising: a substantially rigid elongated elementconfigured to be length adjustable and/or to demountably receive one ormore demountable weights selectively positionable along a length of theelongated element; a mount on which the elongated element is rotatablymounted proximate a first end of the elongated element, the elongatedelement rotatable around a central axis, the elongated element extendingradially from the central axis; and, headwear to which the mount isrigidly attached, the headwear wearable on a subject's head so that thecentral axis is through the subject's head and rotational motion of thesubject's head causes the elongated element to revolve around thecentral axis.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of assessing neck muscleperformance of a test subject, comprising: obtaining a neck muscleperformance score of a test subject by determining a number ofrevolutions in a pre-determined period of time of a radially extendingsubstantially rigid elongated element revolving around a central axisthrough a head of the test subject, or determining an amount of timerequired for a pre-determined number of revolutions of a radiallyextending substantially rigid elongated element revolving around acentral axis through a head of the test subject, the revolutions of theelongated element being caused by action of neck muscles of the testsubject; and, comparing the neck muscle performance score to a standardneck muscle performance score to assess the neck muscle performance ofthe test subject in relation to the standard.

Adjusting the magnitude of the centripetal force acting on the elongatedelement may be accomplished by adjusting length of the elongatedelement, adjusting position of one or more demountable weights on theelongated element, adding or removing weights from the elongated elementor any combination thereof. In this way, resistance may be adjusted upor down to requiring greater or lesser effort by the subject to effectrevolution of the elongated element around the central axis. Theelongated element has a first end proximate the mount and second endremote from the mount. Longer elongated elements, larger weights andweights positioned nearer the second end provide greater moments ofinertia and larger centripetal forces.

The elongated element may comprise, for example, a rod, tube or thelike. Length adjustment of the elongated element may be accomplished ina number of ways, for example as follows: The elongated element maycomprise telescoping members in which at least one member is housedwithin and slidable longitudinally in another hollow member. A lockingmechanism, for example a spring-loaded pin in a pin receiving aperturemay be used to lock the telescoping members together to prevent themembers from sliding in or out during operation of the device. Theelongated element may comprise members that are connectablelongitudinally (end to end), for example with mated ends of a push-intype or a male/female thread type. Locking mechanisms may also be usedto prevent the members from separating under use. The elongated elementmay comprise overlapping members, for example flat plates securedtogether by fasteners, e.g. nuts and bolts, at points along the length.The elongated element may be dismounted from the mount and replaced byan elongated element of different length.

A demountable weight may be mounted on and positioned on the elongatedelement in a number of ways, for example as follows: The weight may beclamped on to the elongated element at a desired position. The weightmay comprise a through aperture through which the elongated element maybe inserted and then secured at a desired position on the length of theelongated member. In one aspect, the elongated element is threaded withscrew threads along at least a portion of the length for receiving oneor more matingly threaded nuts to secure the demountable weight at oneor more selected positions along the length of the elongated element.The threaded nuts themselves may be viewed as demountable weights.Alternatively or additionally, in another aspect, the demountable weightmay comprise a threaded through aperture, the weight being selectivelypositionable along the length of the elongated element by screwing theweight onto the elongated element until a desired position is attained.The threaded weights may be viewed as large threaded nuts. In oneaspect, the elongated element comprises a rod for receiving the one ormore demountable weights at the second end, and the first end of the rodis bent at an angle from the second end, the first end rotatably mountedon the mount. In a particularly preferred aspect, the demountable weightmay be secured to the elongated elements with one or more pins, clip orthe like.

Rotatably mounting the elongated element on the mount may beaccomplished in a number of ways, for example with a rotation bearing ina bearing block, a ball and socket joint or a pin in receiver joint. Theelongated element revolves around a central axis and extends radiallyfrom the central axis. Preferably, the radius formed by the elongatedelement is perpendicular to the central axis.

In use, the subject wears the device on the head. For comfort, securityand ease of operation, the mount for the elongated element is rigidlyattached to the headwear. The headwear may be rigid (e.g. a plastichelmet) or semi-rigid (e.g. an array of adjustable nylon straps) devicewith cushioning on the underside that is in contact with the wearer'shead that is able to transmit tension generated from the neck muscles upthrough to the rotatable mount. The mounting of the rotatable mount tothe headwear may be accomplished in a variety of methods. For example,the rotatable mount may be molded to conform to the shape of a snuglyfitting helmet and then held in place by bolts and nuts, straps, clips,cables, bands or some other fastening array. The helmet would then havea snugly fitting chin strap with two or more anchors to the helmet (forexample in line with the temple bone and mastoid process of the skull onthe helmet) to secure the device to the wearer's head and to transmitthe rotation force from the neck muscles up through the device.

Preferably, the mount is rigidly attached to the headwear at a top ofthe subject's head and the elongated element revolves around the centralaxis above the subject's head in a plane perpendicular to the centralaxis running through the top of the subject's head down through thesubject's torso. In use, rotation of the subject's head causes thelongitudinal element to revolve around the central axis by virtue of therotatable mounting.

Such rotation of the head is due to the subject's neck muscles, whichare exercised by the rotating motion. Thus, the subject uses the musclesof the neck to generate and maintain an orbital motion of the elongatedelement around the central axis. The elongated element may be free torevolve through a complete 360° circle and continue to revolve throughan unlimited number of circles. The headwear may comprise a plurality oflocations to which the mount may be rigidly attached providing differentexercise options for the subject's neck muscles as the elongated elementwould describe circles around a different central axis and/or in adifferent plane than when the mount is at the top of the head.Therefore, while the mount is rigidly attached to the headwear, themount may be dismountable from and remountable to the headwear. In oneaspect, the headwear may comprise a helmet. For safety and ease of use,the headwear should fit the subject snugly and may comprise a securementelement for securing the headwear to the head of the subject, forexample a chin strap.

The device may comprise a counter for counting a number of revolutionsof the elongated element during use. The counter may comprise, forexample, a position sensor, e.g. a camera, an accelerometer, aninclinometer, an RFID tag, a magnet, etc., and may be in communicationwith a recorder, for example a digital data processor and/or storagemedium (e.g. a bicycle speedometer type counter, a computer, hard drive,flash drive, optical disc, etc.), containing software for counting thenumber of revolutions. The counter is preferably mounted on theelongated element.

Assessing neck muscle performance of the subject may be achieved by oneor more of: Varying the weight on the elongated element, the timerequired to perform a pre-determined number of revolutions or the numberof revolutions performed during a pre-determined amount of time. Thisinformation may then be used to evaluate the neck muscle performance(e.g. strength and/or neuromuscular capabilities) of the subject. Thisinformation may be compared to a group of average and/or standardizedvalues to determine the subject's risk of concussion, whiplash or otherinjury. This information may also be used to screen for participation insome sports or activities as well as assess for improvement ofneuromuscular strength function.

The present device is portable and can be used in a variety of differentsettings, for example clinics, playing fields or arenas, and researchfacilities. Further, the ability to readily adjust the centripetal forceexperienced by the subject provides flexibility of operation anduseability with different subjects having different neck musclecapabilities, and permits assessment of neck muscle performance. Thedevice is useful for training the neck to improve its ability to respondto acceleration forces and protect the head and neck from injury (e.g.concussion or whiplash), rehabilitating weak or injured neck muscles,neuromuscular training and rehabilitation for neck proprioception andcoordination, screening for neck strength and function for assessment ofconcussion risk, screening for neck strength and function for whiplashrisk, rehabilitating subjects who have suffered from whiplash orconcussion and training for balance.

Further features will be described or will become apparent in the courseof the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For clearer understanding, preferred embodiments will now be describedin detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a neck muscle exercising or performanceassessment device;

FIG. 2 depicts a bearing flange shown in FIG. 1 with a rod rotatablymounted thereon;

FIG. 3A depicts a telescoping rod in a fully extended configurationhaving a plurality of weights proximate a distal end;

FIG. 3B depicts the telescoping rod of FIG. 3A in a fully retractedconfiguration and having a single weight proximate the distal end;

FIG. 3C depicts a telescoping rod in a fully extended configurationhaving a plurality of weights proximate a distal end secured by a wingnut on a threaded portion of the rod;

FIG. 4A depicts one embodiment of an attachment mechanism for mounting abearing flange on headwear; and,

FIG. 4B depicts another embodiment of an attachment mechanism formounting a bearing flange on headwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a neck muscle exercising or performanceassessment device 10 comprises a helmet 20 to the top of which a bearingflange 30 is fixedly attached by cables 35 secured to rivets 37 in thehelmet 20. Rotatably mounted on the bearing flange 30 is a rod 40extending radially outward from an axis A through the a point ofrotation B where one end of the rod 40 is rotatably secured in arotational bearing secured in the bearing flange 30. The rod 40 has a90° bend 42 proximate the end secured at point of rotation B so that therod 40 may revolve around the axis A while pointing radially outwardform the axis A. The rod 40 is threaded along part of its length withscrew threads 43 for matingly receiving nuts 44 that secure demountableweight 46 near a far end 47 of the rod 40. There is one nut 44 on eachside of the weight 46, the weight 46 comprising a central aperturethrough which the rod 40 is inserted. The device 10 further comprises acounter including a magnet 50 from a bicycle speedometer mounted on therod 40 in communication through wire 53 with a bicycle speedometer 55for counting the number of full revolutions of the rod 40 around theaxis A. A chin strap 60 securely holds the helmet 20 on the head of asubject. FIG. 2 depicts a magnified view of the rod 40 rotatably mountedon the bearing flange 30 by a rotational bearing 32 in the bearingflange 30. The bearing flange 30 comprises securement bolts 33 forsecuring the cables 35 to the bearing flange 30.

In use, a subject puts on the helmet 20 and secures the chin strap 60under his chin in the same manner as donning any helmet of similarnature. By rotating his head clockwise or counter-clockwise in arhythmic and orbital fashion, the subject can induce the rod 40 to beginrevolving around the axis A by virtue of being rotatably mounted on thebearing flange 30. The weight 46 being located proximate the far end 47of the rod 40 provides a heightened moment of inertia and increasescentripetal force on the rod 40, which provides increased resistance toneck muscles of the subject. The increased resistance exercises the neckmuscles more vigorously. More or less resistance may be provided byadding more weight or adjusting the length of the rod, some variationsof which are shown in FIGS. 3A-C. The subject may follow a prescribedregimen and the counter may be used to ensure that the subjectaccurately follow the regimen.

The device may be used for exercise only or for performance assessment.In one aspect, the device may be used to assess the risk of concussion.Risk of concussion may be assessed and determined by correlating asubject's ability to perform on the device i.e. time needed to completea pre-determined number of revolutions on the device at a specifiedweight and rotatable arm length and concussion risk. The more time asubject requires to perform the pre-determined number of revolutions,the weaker and less responsive his/her neck may be and therefore themore prone he/she may be to concussion. As an example, when assessingthe performance of a team of hockey players on the device and thenfollowing this team during a hockey season, those who perform morepoorly on the device may have an increased likelihood of suffering aconcussion. If this is the case then it is likely that a certainperformance level will be associated with the natural baseline risk forsuffering a concussion and that performance levels below this line willbe at higher risk for concussion. It may therefore be possible to screenplayers of nearly any sport to determine those that are at a high and orhigher risk of concussion. In the event of an injury, a player who hassuffered a concussion or whiplash may have a drop in performance on thedevice as the muscles of the neck are commonly injured during aconcussion, and always during whiplash. Therefore, the device can beused to assess when a player is ready to return to sport after sufferinga concussion by delaying return to sport until the player is able toperform on the device to the previously described baseline.

FIGS. 3A-3B depict a telescoping rod 140 comprising an outer rod 141having a 90° elbow 142 and an inner rod 145 that may telescope withinthe outer rod 141. The outer rod 141 is rotatably mounted to a bearingflange (not shown) at a proximal end 143. The outer rod 141 comprises aseries of apertures 146 arranged along a length of the outer rod 141 forreceiving a spring-loaded pin 147 situated near a proximal end of theinner rod 145. The spring-loaded pin 147 may be engaged in any one ofthe apertures 146 to adjust the overall length of the rod 140. To adjustthe length of the rod 140, the spring-loaded pin 147 is depressed todisengage the pin 147 from an aperture 146 and the inner rod 145 is slidproximally or distally within the outer rod 141 until the spring-loadedpin 147 engages the next aperture 146. The outer rod 141 may compriseany number of apertures 146, and each aperture represents a lengthsetting for the rod 140. The telescoping rod 140 may be of any desiredlength, for example 12 inches in the fully extended configuration (FIG.3A) and 6 inches in the fully retracted configuration (FIG. 3B).Weights, for example two weights 151, 152 as seen in FIG. 3A or oneweight 151 as seen in FIG. 3B, may be mounted on the inner rod 145. Tosecure the weights 151, 152 on the inner rod 145, securement clips 153may mounted on the inner rod 145, the clips 153 having ends that may beinserted through clip apertures 154 on the inner rod 145. Two clips 153may be used on each side of the weight or weights (e.g. weights 151, 152as seen in FIG. 3A, or weight 151 as seen in FIG. 3B). Only one clipdistally of the weight may be needed if the inner rod is retractedsufficiently that the outer rod helps secure the weight or weights inplace proximally. The inner rod 145 may comprise a series of any numberof clip apertures 154, and may comprise an opposed series of clipapertures, the opposed clip aperture receiving opposite ends of thesecurement clips 153. A series of clip apertures 154 permits mountingthe weights 151, 152 at a variety of positions along the inner rod 145in order to change the moment of inertia for the device on which the rod140 is mounted.

FIG. 3C depicts a second embodiment of a telescoping rod 240 comprisingan outer rod 241 having a 90° elbow 242 and an inner rod 245 that maytelescope within the outer rod 241. The outer rod 241 is rotatablymounted to a bearing flange (not shown) at a proximal end 243. Thetelescoping rod 240 comprises a spring-loaded pin 247 near a proximalend of the inner rod 245, and apertures 246 in the outer rod 241 toengage the spring-loaded pin 247 in a manner similar to that of thetelescoping rod 140 described in relation to FIGS. 3A-B. However,instead of the inner rod 245 possessing clip apertures, at least aportion of the inner rod 245 comprises screw threads 255 onto whichweights 250, 251, 252 may be threaded. The weights may be secured at anyposition along the threaded portion 255 by nuts, for example a wing nut253 distal of the weights 250, 251, 252, and if desired, another nut onthe proximal side of the weights 250, 251, 252. The weights 250, 251,252 may be threaded to any desired location along the threaded portion255 to change the moment of inertia of the device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict different embodiments of attachment mechanismsfor mounting a bearing flange on headwear, for example a helmet. In FIG.4A, a bearing flange 130 comprising a rotational bearing 132 has straps135 mounted therein by feeding the straps 135 through through-apertures136 in edges of the bearing flange 130. Alternatively, instead of twostraps there could be four straps, each strap attached to the bearingflange. The straps may alternatively be secured to the bearing flange onan upper or lower surface of the flange rather than an edge or edges.The straps 135 may be configured so that straps or parts of straps aresituated on opposed sides of the bearing flange 130 for bettersecurement efficiency. The straps 135 may be secured to the headwear bybolts, rivets, stitching and the like at securement structures 137 onthe straps 135, preferably proximate ends of the straps 135. Any numberor arrangement of straps may be used to ensure proper securement of thebearing flange 130 on the headwear.

In FIG. 4B, a bearing flange 230 comprising a rotational bearing 232 haslever buckles 237 attached thereto. The lever buckles 237 comprise leverhandles 239 pivotally mounted on the lever buckles 237 and operativelyconnected to hooks 238 through connecting straps 236. The hooks 238 areconfigured to engage mounting struts 233 mounted to headwear (e.g. ahelmet) (not shown). The mounting struts 233 may be secured to theheadwear, for example with U-bolts or clips. The mounting struts 233 arespaced apart such that when the lever handles 239 are in an “up”position, the connecting straps 236 have sufficient length for the hooks238 to hook over the mounting struts 233, as seen in the lower part ofFIG. 4B. When the lever handles 239 are in a “down” position with thehooks 238 hooked over the mounting struts 233, the connecting straps 236are pulled toward the buckles 237 tightening the hooks 238 on themounting struts 233, as seen in the upper part of FIG. 4B. Any numberand arrangement of lever buckles may be used to ensure proper securementof the bearing flange 230 on the headwear. Mounting struts may belocated anywhere on the headwear and a plurality of mounting struts onthe headwear offer the opportunity for mounting the bearing flange indifferent locations.

Advantageously, the attachment mechanisms for mounting the bearingflange on headwear are readily removable and re-mountable to permitexchange of headwear or to move the bearing flange to a differentlocation on the headwear.

The novel features will become apparent to those of skill in the artupon examination of the description. It should be understood, however,that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments,but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with thewording of the claims and the specification as a whole.

1. A neck muscle exercising or performance assessment device comprising:a substantially rigid elongated element configured to be lengthadjustable and/or to demountably receive one or more demountable weightsselectively positionable along a length of the elongated element; amount on which the elongated element is rotatably mounted proximate afirst end of the elongated element, the elongated element rotatablearound a central axis, the elongated element extending radially from thecentral axis; and, headwear to which the mount is rigidly attached, theheadwear wearable on a subject's head so that the central axis isthrough the subject's head and rotational motion of the subject's headcauses the elongated element to revolve around the central axis.
 2. Thedevice according to claim 1, further comprising a counter for counting anumber of revolutions of the elongated element.
 3. The device accordingto claim 2, wherein the counter comprises a magnet mounted on theelongated element in communication with a bicycle speedometer.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the elongated element is configuredto receive the one or more demountable weights and the one or moredemountable weights comprise through apertures through which theelongated element is inserted.
 5. The device according to claim 1,wherein the elongated element comprises screw threads along at least aportion of the length for receiving one or more matingly threaded nutsfor securing the one or more demountable weights at one or more selectedpositions along the length of the elongated element.
 6. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the elongated element is configured toreceive the one or more demountable weights, the one or more demountableweights comprise threaded through apertures and the elongated elementcomprises screw threads along at least a portion of the length formatingly receiving the threaded through apertures of the one or moredemountable weights, the one or more demountable weights beingselectively positionable along the length by screwing the weights ontothe elongated elemented until a desired position is attained.
 7. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the elongated element is configuredto receive the one or more demountable weights, and the one or moredemountable weights is secured on the elongated element by one or morepins or clips.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elongatedelement comprises telescoping members.
 9. The device according to claim7, wherein the elongated element comprises telescoping members.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the elongated element is rotatablymounted on the mount by a rotational bearing.
 11. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the elongated element comprises a second end forreceiving the one or more demountable weights and the first end is bentat an angle from the second end, the first end rotatably mounted on themount.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mount is rigidlyattached to the headwear at a top of the subject's head and theelongated element revolves around the central axis above the subject'shead.
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the headwearcomprises a plurality of locations to which the mount may be rigidlyattached.
 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the headwearcomprises a securement element for securing the headwear to the head ofthe subject.
 15. The device according to the claim 14, wherein theheadwear comprises a helmet having a chin strap.
 16. A method ofassessing neck muscle performance of a test subject, comprising: (a)obtaining a neck muscle performance score of a test subject bydetermining a number of revolutions in a pre-determined period of timeof a radially extending substantially rigid elongated element revolvingaround a central axis through a head of the test subject, or determiningan amount of time required for a pre-determined number of revolutions ofa radially extending substantially rigid elongated element revolvingaround a central axis through a head of the test subject, therevolutions of the elongated element being caused by action of neckmuscles of the test subject; and, (b) comparing the neck muscleperformance score to a standard neck muscle performance score to assessthe neck muscle performance of the test subject in relation to thestandard.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the standardneck muscle performance score comprises an average of neck muscleperformance scores of a plurality of subjects from a same or similarfield of endeavor as the test subject.
 18. The method according to claim16, further comprising: (c) adding or removing weight from the elongatedelement, adjusting a position of a weight on the elongated element oradjusting length of the elongated element to adjust a magnitude of acentripetal force acting on the elongated element and obtaining a secondneck muscle performance score of the test subject at the adjustedcentripetal force, obtaining the second neck muscle performance scoreaccomplished as in part (a) for the same pre-determined period of timeor pre-determined number of revolutions.
 19. The method according claim16 using the device as defined in claim 1 to obtain the neck muscleperformance score of the test subject.